In California, if you have a child (anyone under 18), even a multi-millionaire with "low income" can get food stamps and other assistance. Without a child, a person with no-income cannot get food stamp until the person is down to last $2000 in liquid asset. So if a person has small IRA, that would prevent the person from getting help until the IRA is almost exhausted. With a child, you can get help so long as you have "low income", they can have millions in liquid asset and still get government assistance.